Since its inception, television has served as a lens on American society, and in the expansive world of modern TV, today’s heroes and villains have come a long way from their predecessors. “AMERICA IN PRIMETIME” showcases this iconic American art form, which has both reflected and shaped our national character. The four-part series premieres Sundays, October 30-November 20, 2011, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET on PBS. “AMERICA IN PRIMETIME” presents some of the most compelling shows on television today, as well as those of the past, by focusing on key character archetypes — the man of the house, the independent woman, the misfit and the crusader — that have remained a staple of primetime through the generations, capturing both the continuity of the character and the evolution